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Monday, March 1, 2010

Big Wedding Change Revealed!

Well, ladies, I’ve officially joined the ranks of brides who have changed their minds about…the gown! Yes, I’m excited to say I’m now an Alfred Angelo bride!

After revealing my original gown a few weeks ago, I couldn’t shake the feeling that although it was beautiful and I did like it, I just didn’t feel as happy and thrilled as I thought I should. I didn’t get a rush when I imagined waking up and changing into the gown on my wedding day, and there were nagging doubts in the back of my mind about the fit and style.

But being just short of three months from the big day, I knew I’d really have to get moving if I wanted to make a change this big at such a late date. So, when I saw that a local boutique was having an Alfred Angelo trunk show a couple weeks ago, I decided to make an appointment to try on a few of the gowns that had been my favorites in photos way back in the beginning. As you may remember, I never got to even try these gowns on, since I bought my original dress at David’s Bridal before we had a chance to go anywhere else!

Going in, I really wasn’t sure what would happen. I thought I might fall in love with a new dress, but also thought I might feel reassured in my original choice. Well, from the second I put on the dress I’ve now ended up choosing, I had a “wow” moment I’d never felt as strongly with the other gown. In my heart I knew even then that the first choice had been wrong, and that this was truly MY dress!

But did I really want to change my mind so quickly? Did I really want to pay another $1,000 for a new dress, when I had already paid at least $600, including alterations, for the first one? So, I thought about it. For two weeks. I went back and forth, trying to remind myself of the things I do like about the first gown. But over time, I couldn’t stop thinking about the Alfred Angelo dress, and when I pictured myself on my wedding day, I started to see that very gown.

This weekend, hoping to make a decision, I made an appointment at the Alfred Angelo salon in Glen Burnie, Maryland. Not only were the consultants and managers amazing, but when I put the dress on again, there was no need to think it over any longer. This was 100 percent my perfect dream dress, and since the salon even had it in my exact size, I could see and feel the perfect fit. I felt happy and beautiful, and since Alfred Angelo was having a big sale, I got the new dress for just around $850, including tax!

So now, without further ado, I give you my gorgeous wedding dress as viewed from the front, back, and up close! This fabulously romantic dress truly has everything I want – soft lace, crystal beading, a little pop of our grape color, and a semi-cathedral train that’s longer and more stunning than the train on my original gown. Plus, the fitted upper bodice shows off my hard-fought curves, the result of hours of hard work and exercise over the past year. And the best part is that my awesome consultant Tina even showed me how to make the skirt at the bottom appear a bit fuller by adding a crinoline slip, since the full skirt was really my favorite thing about the first gown. Without a dobut, this gown is “me.”

So in the end, athough I did lose money on the first gown, I know I made the right choice. Plus, even factoring in the cost of both gowns, I’m still under the original $2,000 budget I set for myself in the beginning. And since the new gown fits almost perfectly and was custom ordered three inches shorter, there should be very few changes needed when it arrives in late April or early May.

What do you think, girls? Would you have done what I did? Have you followed your heart to change any big aspects about the wedding pretty late in the game?

It seems like you've made the right choice for yourself because you do want to love your dress! It's really pretty! I haven't seen my dress since July but I have my first fitting in two weeks and I hope I love it as much as I did when I bought it. :o)

If it didn't feel right and you didn't feel right, don't force yourself to love a dress you didn't really love. Hopefully you can remake or sell the original gown too.

I bought and really liked my ceremony dress. But I dreamt of alencon lace (but it was insanely expensive) as my dream fabric and bought it on eBay 2.5 weeks before the wedding! It was pretty spectacular and I don't regret a moment. I've also bought a few dresses for my brother's fiancee through eBay and sample sales so totally recommend it!

I hate to admit it, but I LOVE the new dress! It is for sure the *ONE*! So glad it worked out for you …and under budget still with a dress change I know you’ve been going back and forth on the doubt train about your gown. I have been there, too…but I don’t think I could ever change from my gown…I do really love it. It’s just there’s always something better around the corner, ya know? However, in your case, you definitely made a good decision! Congrats!